| The Condensed 21st Century Guide to King Crimson | |
| Type: | Compilation |
| Artist: | King Crimson |
| Cover: | Condensed 21st Century Guide.jpg |
| Released: | 2006 |
| Recorded: | 1969–2003 |
| Genre: | Progressive rock |
| Label: | Discipline Global Mobile |
| Producer: | Robert Fripp |
| Prev Title: | The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson – Volume Two – 1981–2003 |
| Prev Year: | 2005 |
The Condensed 21st Century Guide to King Crimson is a compilation by progressive rock band King Crimson, released in 2006. It contains select studio tracks from the two box sets, The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson – Volume One – 1969–1974 and The 21st Century Guide to King Crimson – Volume Two – 1981–2003.
King Crimson
Additional personnel
David Fricke wrote in Rolling Stone that this is a "deluxe primer of studio lightning and live thunder, compiled with the novice in mind ... Crimson's singular union of power, passion and intellect never flags despite the comings, goings and severe turns in direction ... made by entirely different lineups, both albums nevertheless epitomize Crimson's — and Fripp's — dedication to searing, transportive excellence ... the concert tapes affirm that with a blowtorch vengeance".
Author Greg Kot opined that "guitarist Robert Fripp's bitter liner notes get things off to a sour start, but the violence and invention in the music more than compensate". John Kelman from All About Jazz wondered "if Fripp can continue to reissue material ad infinitum ... but this new release is, indeed, a concise collection that almost perfectly represents Crimson's long and multifaceted career".
Barry Cleveland of Guitar Player said that the "CD box set provides the perfect introduction to one of rock's most influential bands ... the majority of the studio tracks are culled from the band's stunning 1969 debut ... the selections from the band's first seven studio albums are well-chosen, and the song sequencing makes for an enjoyable listen, but it's the live material that provides the greatest insight into what this group—or groups, as there are actually several different incarnations represented—was all about". He also noted the box set includes "a 24-page booklet containing a list of all the band's gigs, a diary-like running commentary by guitarist Robert Fripp, and a bevy of cool photos and other graphic memorabilia".